NEW YORK, USA Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, the former Tivoli Gardens strongman who is facing drugs and weapons charges after being extradited here, is yet to settle the matter of his legal representation, despite the expiry of a 30-day period allowed by a New York Court to do so.
It was not clear why the matter has not been settled, but Coke's court-appointed attorney, Russell Neufeld told the Observer that "everything remains the same at this point".
While it was felt in legal circles here that Coke could face difficulties convincing US authorities that money to be used in his defence was not tainted, there were reports that he may not be required to do so.
Coke's appointed attorney, meanwhile, said the accused drug lord, could secure legal representation at any time, indicating that the 30-day period was offered at the request of attorneys who had shown an interest in representing the accused.
A three-man team of attorneys from New York and Florida have held meetings with Coke on the representation matter.
In the meantime, prosecutors continue to provide more documents on indictment of Coke on drugs and gun trafficking charges.
Neufeld has acknowledged receipt of the additional evidence.
Coke, who faces possible life imprisonment on some of the charges was extradited here in June after waiving his rights to a hearing in Jamaica. He was captured by the Jamaican police along the Mandela Highway in St Catherine after eluding the security forces for a month.
He had been on the run after an incursion into his Tivoli Gardens stronghold by the security forces on May 24.
The Jamaican Government had sought to block the extradition request for nine months, on grounds that information used to indict Coke was illegally obtained.